935.101
Rescue facility permit.

(1)
In lieu of
obtaining any other permit under this chapter, a person that operates a rescue
facility in this state prior to January 1, 2014, and that wishes to continue to
operate a rescue facility on and after that date shall obtain a rescue facility
permit under this section not later than January 1, 2014.

(2)
A person
that wishes to begin operation of a rescue facility in this state on or after
January 1, 2014, shall obtain a rescue facility permit under this section not
later than sixty days prior to beginning operation.

(1)
An applicant
for a rescue facility permit shall file an application for a permit with the
director of agriculture on a form prescribed and provided by the director. The
application shall include information that the director requires in
rules.

(2)
An applicant
for a rescue facility permit shall submit one of the following fees, as
applicable, with an application:

(a)
Five hundred
dollars if the applicant possesses not more than three dangerous wild
animals;

(b)
One thousand
dollars if the applicant possesses at least four, but not more than fifteen
dangerous wild animals;

(c)
Two thousand
dollars if the applicant possesses sixteen or more dangerous wild
animals.

(3)
If a permit
application is denied, two hundred fifty dollars of the application fee shall
be retained by the director as payment for the reasonable expense of processing
the application and the remainder of the fee shall be returned to the
applicant.

(C)
The director
shall issue or deny a rescue facility permit in accordance with rules. The
director shall issue a rescue facility permit only if the dangerous wild animal
or animals that are or are to be possessed by an applicant are
sterilized.

(D)
A person
that has been issued a rescue facility permit under this section shall comply
with the requirements regarding the care and housing of dangerous wild animals
established in rules adopted under division (G) of section
935.17 of the Revised
Code.

(E)
A person
that has been issued a rescue facility permit under this section may acquire,
except by purchase, possession or ownership of a dangerous wild
animal.